Jahazi House

Jahazi is built in traditional Kenyan architectural style around an inner courtyard with, at its heart, a discreet swimming pool that cools the public rooms and bedrooms. Yellow-tinted archways surround the pool, which is open to the sky to let in the light. The entry hall has a baraza (meeting place) area, a plush, vibrant-cushioned daybed and a wooden carved table. The roof is one huge, partly shaded terrace, with a bar and lovely eating and sitting areas.

Leading off the inner courtyard are four double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. On the roof is a cool and spacious master wing, with a private library and bedroom, en-suite dressing room and bathroom area. All rooms are white-washed, with traditional wooden four-poster Swahili beds and private verandas furnished with antique Lamu daybeds, quaint little writing desks and colourful decorative accents.

There are no cars and no roads on Lamu – donkey, boat and your feet are the only forms of transport. The ocean is a paradise for watersports fans, especially if you're keen on wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking and fishing. There's great snorkelling on nearby reefs, and sunset dhow cruises are a must, as is a walk to Kipungani village or Kizingo eco-camp to enjoy a drink in the latter's private makuti bar. Of course, spend some time on the beach.